I'd really like to post something tonight but the inside of my head looks like this



Ok, it doesn't actually look like that inside my head.  I mean, I don't think there is wire and papier mache, or little birds or chairs in there, but you know what I mean.

The birds are kind of cute though, aren't they?



They're not done yet, but I am...for tonight.  A domani (see you tomorrow)...maybe.

PS:  do any of you tech geeks, um, I mean friends like Bryony or Earle, for example know why my computer suddenly won't let me go on all things google like, for example, my email or the google search engine?  Ok, actually, that's not my real question....I don't really care why I can't go there.  Better question:  anyone have any idea how I can fix this problem?

So, a Hungarian, a Macedonian, 2 Germans, and an American walk into a bar....

Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.  First we went for a hike.

Not being such an experienced hiker, particularly not with a group, I can't say if it is normal or not that we kept losing each other. 

Did you know that in German they don't say "herding cats" but rather "moving fleas"?  I don't know how to say it in Macedonian or Hungarian because that cat and flea had fled whilst this particular discussion was taking place.

One of the Germans and I made it to the top of the world.

When we got there he felt the need to take a peek over the edge.

 The Hungarian made it, too.  She took a peek inside instead.

The American felt the need to do some shadow dancing.

 Then, as I was saying, a Hungarian, a Macedonian, 2 Germans, and an American walk in to a bar...

I've just sat down to write a post-- a report on the weekend Christmas market, some funny anecdotes, festive photos, but then, as background noise to write by, I put on NPR.  Of course the whole programming was on the tragedy in Connecticut.  Background noise. I'm finding it tough right now to be amusing or festive.

It is so very very sad.  My heart breaks for the mourning families of the killed, for the school that will never get past this, for the community struggling to understand.  But most of all, my heart is breaking for a country, my country, my country that is quite obviously in a state of depression.

I don't mean economic depression.  I'm talking about social, emotional, and spiritual depression.  When a person exhibits self destructive behaviours, all alarms go off that this person needs help.  I think the same must be true for a country.  Mass shooting of children and teachers at a school is rather self destructive for a society.

I'm writing this from my home, my current life in a country that is not the one that I claim as mine.  Perhaps this gives me no right to complain or criticize, to cast stones.  No, not perhaps -- I have no right. 

And my heart is still breaking.

I was working in my studio this morning, cramming for my self-imposed final exam which is this weekend.  Crafter's final exam?  Yeah, that's when you get the brilliant idea that it would be fun to invite everyone you know and even a bunch of people that the people you know know to your house to look at what you've been making (and hopefully take some of it home with them).  Yep, Christine and I decided it was time to put our shit display(actually, it's not shit at all...it's really quite nice, if I must say so myself...) and see what happens.  We're calling in "Natale in Maberga"....mulled wine, some tea and cookies and, if you want, some christmas gifts to take with you.  If you're in the neighborhood stop on by.

So, anyway, while was in the studio this morning, David brought our Christmas tree in and strung all our lights on it.  I love christmas trees.

We're not totally positive, but we might need to get another string of lights.

David is so getting this for Christmas...

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